07-09-01 Community & Economic Development

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• Qto .tmttitt port: totttmunitt an Commit Ektielopittent (Contftita8 The July 9, 2001 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 5:05 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Coleman, Kelly, Ujdak, King, Kirsits, White, Pfeifer, and Varner; Terry O'Brien of Community and Economic Development, Richard Nelson, Jack St. Pierre, Terry Bland of the Routh VGribunt and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Kelly noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 01-61 which is a five (5) year personal property tax abatement request for the property located at 511 Lincoln Way West requested by Photochrome, Inc. Mr. Terry O'Brien reviewed the July 2, 2001 report from Community and Economic Development (copy attached). He noted that Photochrome, Inc. makes photographic prints, enlargements and slides and provides photo finishing to three (3) Gene's Camera Stores. They would like to purchase new equipment which has an estimated cost of $ 250,000 so that they can stay competitive in the photographic digital technology age. Three (3) new, permanent full-time jobs would be created. The report concluded that the project meets the qualifications for a five-year personal property tax abatement under§ 2-84.2 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Mr. Jack St. Pierre,President of Photochrome,Inc. made a further presentation. Following discussion, Council Member Ujdak made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill No. 01-61 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 01-62 which is a five (5) year personal property tax abatement request for the property located at 2720 Foundation Drive requested by MWI Inc. Mr. Terry O'Brien reviewed the July 2, 2001 report from Community and Economic Development (copy attached). He noted that the petitioner is a manufacturer of graphite and carbon products and propose to open a machine shop of 4,500 square feet. New equipment costs would be $ 175,000 and would create four (4) new, permanent, full-time jobs. The report concluded that the project meets the qualifications for a five-year personal property tax abatement under§ 2-84.2 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Mr. Richard Nelson made the presentation for the petitioner. He noted that they have offices in Rochester, New York; and would be consolidated its operations from Chicago, Illinois and Livonia, Michigan into the new facility on Foundation Drive. They would be purchasing new grinders,a mill, an air compressor and a dust collection system. Following discussion, Council Member Ujdak made a motion, seconded by Council Member Varner that Bill No. 01-62 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.